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Hundreds involved in city riots | Hundreds involved in city riots |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Hundreds of people have been involved in rioting in Londonderry city centre during the early hours of Sunday. | Hundreds of people have been involved in rioting in Londonderry city centre during the early hours of Sunday. |
Fencing, paving slabs and bottles were thrown at police during the violence which lasted for several hours. | Fencing, paving slabs and bottles were thrown at police during the violence which lasted for several hours. |
A police spokesperson said four officers were injured and one member of the public was also taken to hospital with minor injuries. | A police spokesperson said four officers were injured and one member of the public was also taken to hospital with minor injuries. |
The trouble started in Shipquay Street at 0200 BST and continued until 0400 BST. One person has been arrested. | |
Without those basic levels of equipment, it simply would have been too dangerous for police officers to confront the crowd throwing bricks and paving slabs. Inspector John Burrows | Without those basic levels of equipment, it simply would have been too dangerous for police officers to confront the crowd throwing bricks and paving slabs. Inspector John Burrows |
A BBC marquee in Guildhall Square was also damaged and plasma screens destroyed. | A BBC marquee in Guildhall Square was also damaged and plasma screens destroyed. |
Foyle MLA William Hay said it was unacceptable behaviour. | Foyle MLA William Hay said it was unacceptable behaviour. |
"Every right thinking person across the city, irrespective of where they live, would condemn this," he said. | "Every right thinking person across the city, irrespective of where they live, would condemn this," he said. |
"Everybody believes we left this behind us and the city centre can be shared... there can be no excuse for it." | "Everybody believes we left this behind us and the city centre can be shared... there can be no excuse for it." |
Police are examining CCTV footage of the disturbances. | Police are examining CCTV footage of the disturbances. |
Inspector John Burrows said the situation had been "extremely dangerous" and more people could have been injured. | Inspector John Burrows said the situation had been "extremely dangerous" and more people could have been injured. |
"The officers had to wear riot helmets, they had to have pads on, they had to have shields and they had to use armoured Land Rovers," he said. | "The officers had to wear riot helmets, they had to have pads on, they had to have shields and they had to use armoured Land Rovers," he said. |
"Without those basic levels of equipment, it simply would have been too dangerous for police officers to confront the crowd throwing bricks and paving slabs." | "Without those basic levels of equipment, it simply would have been too dangerous for police officers to confront the crowd throwing bricks and paving slabs." |